Paige's Warriors (Bondmates Book 3) (6 page)

Jagged shards of need raced through her, and she almost sagged into him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.”

To her surprise, he burst out laughing and all around them men stared at Trenzent like they were seeing a ghost. He ignored them then stood with a feline grace, taking her hand gently in his own. Staring down at her, he rubbed his thumb lightly over her hand. “In all my years I never imagined I would be blessed with such sweet beauty. You exceed my every expectation,
alyah
.”

“I…thank you?”

He smiled again, but this one held a tinge of melancholy. “I am in desperate need of your light, Paige.”

“I don’t understand.”

Frustration marred his face for a moment before he sighed. “I know, and I am sorry I cannot explain clearly. But I will as soon as I can.”

“Ummm...okay?”

Giving her a bemused smile, he started to reply, but Kimber’s loud voice cut him off. “Hey, Paige, come here a sec. I need to talk to you, please.”

Removing her hand from his was almost physically painful, but she managed to extract herself from his gentle grip. “I have to go talk to my friend.”

Frustration darkened his gaze, but he gave her a stiff nod. “Of course. It was a pleasure meeting you, Paige Grant.”

“I’ll be back,” she blurted out quickly, even eagerly. God, she was practically drooling over this guy. It would be embarrassing, should be embarrassing, but she couldn’t find it in herself to care. “So, just wait for me, okay, Trenzent, ‘cause I’ll be back.”

“Tren. My friends refer to me as Tren. It would honor me if you would use my familiar name.”

“Okay, Tren.”

He beamed at her, and her cheeks heated. Yeah, the scar tissue on his jaw pulled his smile a little to the left and down, leaving his face slightly off balance when he full out grinned, but to her he was the handsomest man she’d ever seen. Firelight flickered over the unmarked side of his face, and she almost took a step closer to him before remembering Kimber.

“My friend.”

With amusement dancing in his silvery gaze, he took a step back. “She is waiting for you,
alyah
.”

The husky purr in his voice sent a shiver through her that ended up in her hard nipples and gently pulsing clit. “What does that mean?”

“Pardon me?”

“
Alyah
, what does that mean?”

“Paige,” Kimber’s voice cut through the tension building between Paige and Tren. “Hello?”

With a heavy sigh that expanded his thickly muscled, bare chest nicely, he said, “Go. I will wait for you.”

“Promise?”

He gently trailed his fingers over her cheek, the soft touch sending a cascade of tender emotions through her. “Believe me when I say that there is no place in the Universe I would rather be than with you.”

With that, he turned her gently by the shoulders and gave her a little push toward a laughing Kimber. Dawn was standing near one of the fire pits, opening a beer while giggling at something a tanned guy with long black hair was saying. Behind her stood two more men, each watching her friend with amusement as Dawn gestured wildly with her now open beer, foam slipping down the sides while she laughed. The yard was still filled with men, but the crowd had thinned a bit, most huddling around large fire pits and…were they making s’mores?

Shaking her head at the very odd sight of what looked like a bunch of Viking marauders making a campfire treat, she made her way to Kimber’s side near the picnic table where their brownies and cookies used to be. All that remained were empty trays and plates. She wondered how the hell these guys maintained nine percent body fat while eating brownies and s’mores like they were going out of style.

Trying to ignore the way some of the guys were outright staring at her, like she was a unicorn in a whore house, she made her way to Kimber’s side. “Hey, what’s up?”

Snickering now, Kimber whispered, “Casey was making out, heavy, on the front porch with that Lorn guy. Like really hot and heavy. Dawn went looking for Casey to see if she wanted a beer, and I think she caught them almost doing the nasty. Casey freaked out and took off.”

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes.” Kimber giggled. “From what Dawn said she thinks she caught Casey having the big O.”

Feeling embarrassed for her friend, Paige put her hands to her burning cheeks. “That’s terrible. Poor Casey. I should go see if she’s okay.”

“She’s fine, just having a hissy. You know how dramatic she gets when she’s uncomfortable. Dawn and I talked to her already and let her know she was being dumb. Right now she’s just totally embarrassed that she freaked out on Lorn. She’ll get over it, but let her lick her wounds in private.”

“Are you sure? Maybe I should just stop in for a second.”

Kimber shook her head, then glanced behind Paige and back again. “No, stay here. You need to stay.”

“What are you talking about?”

For a moment Kimber examined her, the other woman’s glittering pink eye shadow sparkling in the firelight, then said, “I’ll be honest with you, Paige. I’m afraid if you go to Casey’s you’ll talk yourself out of coming back, and I think that would be a mistake.”

“I…” She wanted to say she wouldn’t do that, but she’d done it in the past. Repeatedly. “I wouldn’t.”

“Are you sure?”

She thought about Tren and nodded firmly. “I am.”

“Is it GI Joe meets Phantom of the Opera?”

“What?”

“Oh, come on, Paige. I’m not blind.”

Stiffening, feeling unexpectedly defensive of Tren, she snapped, “Just because he has scars doesn’t mean you can call him names.”

“Whoa, I didn’t mean anything negative. He’s sexy, in a tortured hero kind of way.”

“He’s wonderful, and kind, and I like him,” Paige said in a hissing whisper. “So leave him alone.”

“Holy shit,” Kimber whispered, her dark eyes searching Paige’s face. “Did you just say you like him?”

“I-I…” Paige swallowed hard. “He’s…different.”

With a sigh, Kimber pulled her over to the side of the house, away from the guys who were all watching them closely. “I always thought you’d end up with some wussy guy when you finally decided to start dating, not the big as in massively huge could be a professional wrestler hot older guy daddy type, but holy shit is he fine. If you don’t at least kiss him, you’re going to be letting the sisterhood down. I bet he has a big dick, too. You may not appreciate that now, being a virgin, but you will later.”

“Kimber,” she hissed. “Keep it down.”

“Please, I’m ecstatic for you. Hang out, talk to him a little more, let him continue to fawn all over you.” Kimber pulled her into a hug and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Dawn and I will keep an eye on you. If this guy really likes you, in the way you deserve to be liked, he won’t push you. Has he tried anything yet?”

“He wanted me to kiss him.”

Kimber pulled back with a smile. “He asked you to kiss him? He didn’t just go for it?”

At the thought of his firm, full lips touching hers Paige had a nice shiver. “No. You have way more experience with this kind of stuff. What should I do?”

“I’ll ignore that ‘way more experience’ remark for now.” Kimber tapped her lower lip with one red nail. “Okay. Here’s how you need to play it…”

Trenzent al’Doun, Supreme Commander of the Kadothian Empire

Tren locked his body in place as his future Matriarch talked with her friend, their whispers easily reaching his enhanced hearing. He blocked out the sounds of the rest of the compound and focused only on the soothing murmur of Paige’s voice. His cock twitched as she giggled, everything about her so light and innocent that it cleansed something in his soul. Never in all his years did he think he would be gifted with a Matriarch like this, a spirit so sweet and pure she shone like an exploding star.

Her long, dark hair fell to the nip of her waist and the curve of her hips drove him wild. She was small, and he worried that she would have to have the growth regime before they could properly mate, but her abundant curves drove him wild. Pressing that soft, rounded body to his would be a pleasure unlike any other. The wind shifted and her faint scent of sweet and earthy spice inundated him, making his already stiff cock swell further. Thankfully he was wearing the tight underclothes that protected him during sparring, or he would have been embarrassingly erect in front of Paige.

She was a mystery, but from what he’d learned so far his Matriarch was a gentle creature who’d been hurt badly in the past. A jolt of anger breeched his careful shields, and he had to struggle for a moment to keep his temper in check. But only for a moment. To his immense relief, the killing rage, a mark of the madness, receded, and he thanked the Lord of Life for the miracle of finally meeting his bondmate. For a moment he wondered if he could keep the information locked down, but there were too many men here who’d witnessed his obvious reaction to finding his Matriarch. No doubt information was flowing to and from the Reaping ship about Paige right at this moment, the knowledge being traded for vast sums of money and political favors.

The ramifications finally meeting Paige raced through him, and he suddenly feared for her. The news of the Supreme Commander of Kadothia’s army finding his Matriarch was no small political manner, and would attract a great deal of attention. He should be examining all sides of this situation, but he found it hard to think past his growing lust. Paige had full, rounded cheeks that scrunched up and turned pink when she laughed, and he wondered what she would look like when he pushed his erection into her for the first time. He’d hold her close, cradle her to him while he fucked them both to completion.

Then something that Kimber said caught his attention. “Ask him to go on a date with you.”

“What?” Paige squeaked, and he had to fight a smile, a miracle in itself.

Before today, when was the last time he actually smiled?

The loss of emotion was yet another sign of the madness, and he wondered how close he’d come to losing himself to his inner beast.

“Ask him on a date. You know, coffee or something. Get to know him. See how he is with you in public.”

“What are you talking about?”

Kimber smiled at his
alyah
, and he drank in the sight of Paige grinning back as Kimber said, “In my experience, a guy can be super awesome at a dimly lit party when you’re drunk—”

“I don’t drink.”

“I know that. My point is you need to get to know him, and a day date is perfect for that.”

“But I work tomorrow until four.”

Kimber laughed and gave his future bride a squeeze on her shoulder. “So see him the day after that. Or do a late afternoon date.”

“What if he says no?”

Tren wanted to go over there and reassure his future bride he would never say no to her, but she didn’t know he was listening in on her conversation.

“Trust me, he won’t.”

“I don’t know…” Paige glanced over her shoulder, and the moment her pale blue eyes—the color of the Earth sky at midday—met his, heat flashed through him before she quickly looked away. “He’s watching us.”

Tren looked off to his left, not wanting to alarm Paige. He’d have to handle her delicately, like a newly hatched
zendor
cub. A mental ping came through his communication implants, letting him know he had a high security message waiting for him, but he ignored it. Nothing was more important than securing Paige’s affections. He’d like her kiss, but her friend was right. She deserved to be courted and even though she was unaware of her rights as a Kadothian bride, he would honor her by leading her slowly and gently into their bonding.

The beep in his head came again, but he ignored the increased security rating of whatever message needed his attention. He had to talk with Paige before he answered it, because he knew that once he received the message, he would have to leave her to deal with whatever the threat was. For a moment the peace inside of him waned as the reality of the overwhelming odds he fought every day to keep his people safe swamped him. It wasn’t just the Hive. It was space pirates, corrupt politicians, despots on distant planets, all of which threatened the Bel’Tan Galaxy. And that wasn’t even going into the deadly political games on Kadothia, a planet where territory was gained or lost by bloodshed. He’d won his land on the Cliffs of Goeth hundreds of years ago and had held it ever since, destroying any Warrior foolish enough to challenge his claim to the lush, mineral-rich land.

And once, he’d shared that territory with a man he’d loved and trusted more than anyone.

Only to be betrayed.

“Um, Tren?”

Paige’s shaking voice recalled him from his harsh memories, and he abruptly pulled himself together when he scented fear on her. “Forgive me, Paige, I was remembering unpleasant things.”

The spiky fear scent faded, and he took in a deep breath of her sweetness, needing to rid himself of the primal urge to go on the offensive and slay whatever enemy was making her afraid.

“It’s okay. I, uh…I was wondering…”

“Yes.”

She blinked up at him, coming a step closer, close enough that he could feel her heat. “What?”

“Whatever you want from me, whatever you need, the answer will always be yes.”

“Well, okay.” She looked down, and her embarrassment along with a good case of nervousness tickled at his senses. “So, would you like to drink coffee with me? I mean, go drink coffee, with me, at a place. That serves coffee.”

Unable to stop himself despite knowing he didn’t have her official permission to touch her freely, he smoothed a strand of her long hair from her face, slipping his hand beneath the silky mass and groaning at the feel of it tickling his hand. What he wouldn’t give to feel all this softness spread out over his thighs as her lush mouth sucked on the head of his aching cock. He could picture her pink lips sealed over the deep purple tip, her blunt little teeth raking his shaft with each suck.

“Tren?”

Realizing she was waiting for a response that didn’t include throwing her to the ground and claiming her right there and then, he struggled past his growing lust. “Yes. Where shall I meet you?”

“Grind Me Gloria’s on Main Street.”

He quickly pulled up the map of the area in his head and located it. Trying to recall his training on the mating rituals common to this part of Earth, he said, “Shall I provide transportation to you?”

“Huh?”

Hating the language barrier, he tried again. “Shall I transport you in my vehicle?”

“Oh, you mean should you pick me up. No, I live right down the street, so I can walk.”

“I would rather escort you so you are safe.”

She laughed, the joyful sound awakening his soul and bringing an answering joy to his heart. “I think I’ll be okay. I grew up around here, I know everyone, and we keep an eye out for each other. I’ll be fine.”

He’d have her followed every moment of the day by some of his most trusted men, but he didn’t need to let her know this. “I understand.”

The beep that came in his head now was so strong it made him flinch. Lord of Life’s balls, it was from the High Council and marked Urgent. He could no longer ignore their summons. The last thing he wanted to do was leave Paige’s side, but they’d agreed to meeting again tomorrow, and he had to give her time to adjust and himself time to regain control of his newly reawakened emotions.

“Tren, are you okay?”

Meeting Paige’s concerned gaze, he touched his temple and gave her the partial truth. “Headache.”

Instantly her demeanor softened, and she stood on her tiptoes so she could reach his temple, brushing her fingers soothingly over his skin. “You should go lie down.”

Leaving her made him want to shout and throw things, but he could not afford such childish displays of temper. “I shall. Will you give me a kiss goodnight?”

He could see the indecision warring on her face, and mentally scolded himself for pushing her, but when she whispered ‘yes’ he wanted to roar with victory.

“You’re too tall. Lean down a bit.”

The feel of her small hands gripping his shoulders made him think of what it would be like to have her nails embedded in his skin as he rode her to orgasm after orgasm. The women of Earth were different from women born in the Bel’Tan galaxy. Their sheaths did not seal shut after a man orgasmed in order to keep the seed in. Earth women could have as many climaxes as she and her partner wanted during intercourse. The very idea had him eager to test out how much cock his bride would desire, but he forced himself to stay perfectly still as she slowly closed the distance between them. The first kiss, where he bit his tongue and shared his blood with her, had to come willingly from the bride. It was one of the absolute laws of the Reaping, and he could not break it.

Especially with so many watching them, and no doubt recording this moment via their crystal implants.

As much as he hated that, he wasn’t going to do anything to interrupt or scare off Paige. To his great dismay, she didn’t kiss his lips, instead trailing soft kisses down the scarred length of his jaw. The tenderness of her touch, the soft sounds of her breath on his skin, the perfume of her faint desire all sent him into a spiral of pleasure that went beyond himself, and into her. Ever so faintly he could sense Paige, his mind and body burning as the first strands of their bond snapped into existence, mentally linking them together. Sexual touch seemed to be the key to establishing the mental bond between mates for Earth women, but Tren had no idea it could be forged with so little contact between partners.

Ever so briefly her lips brushed over his, and she moaned softly against his tingling mouth before pulling away abruptly.

“I-I have to go.”

She spun around and started to run off, but before she could get far he yelled out, “Tomorrow, Paige Grant.”

Pausing, she looked back over her shoulder and gave him a huge smile that hit him like the kick of a
reether
. “Tomorrow, four o’clock. It was nice to meet you, Tren.”

She gave him a little wave, then disappeared around the side of the house with her friends Kimber and Dawn trailing behind her.

While he wished he could stay and gather information about Paige’s feelings for him, but duty called. He strode into the house to the transport room and stepped over to the side of the entryway before activating his mental shield then reading the message. When he did, he let out a roar of rage that made every man around him jump. “Slavers, here, on Earth!”

The collective snarls of outrage that filled the room would have scared most grown men into fainting, let alone a woman, and Trenzent prayed his future bride was far enough away to have missed their fury.

“Cormac,” he snapped at the blond and brown-haired man who’d rushed inside. “Follow Paige Grant. Do not let her out of your sight. I want her guarded at all times until I can return.”

“Sir,” one of the men called out. “Did they manage to kidnap any humans?”

“We do not know yet.” His skin crawled with the need for violence. “But I am personally going to find out how they got through the wormhole and who let them in.”

***

Thirty-two hours later Trenzent lifted a weeping woman from her holding cage, the skin of her legs fused together by a sadistic medic to make sure no one took her virginity and damaged the merchandise. Once she’d arrived at a slaving planet she would have been literally cut open and rapidly healed, leaving no visible scare but no doubt mentally harming the woman for the rest of her life. The thought of Paige being taken by these bastards had his already stressed out system teetering on the brink of full rebellion. As it was he barely held onto his anger long enough to pass the woman off to a waiting Healer, who immediately began to treat her.

There, in the middle of the part of the country called Iceland on Earth, they’d found a sophisticated slaver’s shed equipped to handle the large scale smuggling of human cargo off Earth. They’d recently arrived and were still setting up the stasis holding cells they stored their living cargo in, but Trenzent knew documents had been found that indicated at least two shipments of humans had made it off Earth, through the wormhole, and back to the Bel’Tan galaxy where they disappeared. The thought of other men’s bondmates being on those ships made his blood run cold.

“Commander,” Lady Elsin’s familiar voice came through his com link. “What is your status?”

“Lady Elsin.” He tried to hide his surprise as the Lead Congress of the Northern Continent spoke to him from the Reaping ship. “I was unaware you were in the Milky Way Galaxy.”